The Dell Rapids Museum has seen a host of upgrades in recent months thanks to a little help from some volunteers, friends and the state tourism department.

In all, about $12,000 worth of work has been done, said Alice Chamley with the Dell Rapids Museum. About half was paid for with a grant from the South Dakota State Historical Society, a hand of the South Dakota Tourism Department.

Inside the building, baseboards were put along the entire perimeter, the walls got fresh paint after some new sheetrock was hung and two rooms in the rear of the building were completed, giving the museum more space for storage.

Tom Schwebach donated a counter top now being used in the museum kitchen, and stonemasons did some tuck pointing on the southeast corner of the building.

“We are trying to preserve the history of Dell Rapids and the preservation of our museum building,” Chamley said. “It’s important to keep for future people.”

The museum's funding comes from membership, fundraisers, donations, the City and gift shop sales.